Brad Anderson has made quite an impact on the Denver dining scene over the past few decades, running the Rocky Mountain Diner, Rick's Cafe, Chopper's Sports Grill, the Castle Cafe and the Next Door Bar with partners Tom Walls and Jerry Good.

Now Anderson is ready to jump back into the scene with Benzina, an Italian restaurant built from the bones of a former Phillips 66 gas station at 4839 East Colfax Avenue. Anderson began planning the restaurant three years ago when he purchased the property, which had most recently been home to a Meineke muffler shop.